What is X (Twitter) and How Does It Work?

X(Twitter) May 24, 2025 By Pulzzy Team
X (Twitter) platform features shown on a mobile screen

Table of Contents

What is X (formerly Twitter)?

Once known as the go-to platform for breaking news and real-time updates, Twitter rebranded to X in July 2023 after Elon Musk acquired the company. The name change wasn’t just cosmetic—it marked a fundamental shift in the platform’s direction.

Musk, known for his ambitious ventures like Tesla and SpaceX, envisions X as an "everything app" that goes beyond social media. According to The Wall Street Journal, Musk said X aims to integrate social networking, payment systems, and AI-driven content into one seamless ecosystem.

“X will be the most valuable financial institution in the world,” Musk stated in a post, hinting at future capabilities involving peer-to-peer payments and e-commerce.

While Twitter’s core—the microblogging experience—remains, X introduces a broader suite of tools for creators, businesses, and everyday users.

Why Did Twitter Change to X?

The decision to rebrand Twitter was highly strategic, not just stylistic. Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter for $44 billion in 2022 came with a clear goal: to reinvent the platform into a multifunctional super app, akin to China’s WeChat, which blends messaging, payments, commerce, and content.

📊 Industry Comparison: X vs. WeChat vs. Facebook

Feature X (2025) WeChat Facebook
Microblogging ✔️ ❌ ❌
Video Content ✔️ (up to 2 hours) ✔️ (shorts & feeds) ✔️ (Reels & Live)
Payments 💡 Coming Soon ✔️ WeChat Pay ✔️ Meta Pay (limited)
Community Engagement ✔️ Spaces, Notes ✔️ Groups & Moments ✔️ Groups & Stories
Monetization Tools ✔️ Premium & Subscriptions Limited ✔️ Subscriptions

🔍 User Perspective: In a Reddit thread on r/technology, one user commented:
“I didn’t think I’d stick with X after the rebrand, but the new video tools and long-form content are actually game-changers for my side hustle.”

By positioning itself as a multi-purpose digital platform, X hopes to become a daily utility, not just a social channel.

How is X Different from the Original Twitter?

Although the name and vision have changed, many of Twitter’s recognizable features are still present. But X has layered in new functionality to align with broader content creation and monetization goals.

🚀 Major Changes Introduced with X:

  • Extended Post Length: Premium users can now publish Xeets with up to 25,000 characters.

  • Video Hosting: Users can upload videos of up to 2 hours in 1080p resolution.

  • Creator Subscriptions: Monetize exclusive content and get paid monthly.

  • Rebranded UX: A cleaner, more futuristic interface emphasizing multimedia and interaction.

  • New Terminology: Tweets are now called Xeets, and Retweets are now Reposts.

💬 User Feedback:
Jane M., a digital artist from Texas, shared in a post:
“Switching to X helped me grow my art audience. The longer Xeets let me tell full stories, and video posting has been amazing for behind-the-scenes content.”

In short, X is evolving into a creator economy platform, enabling users to publish, monetize, and interact on a deeper level.

How Does X Work?

X maintains its real-time, public-facing feed—but now it’s segmented into two key sections:

  • For You: A personalized stream driven by algorithms and interest-based suggestions.

  • Following: A chronological feed of accounts you’ve followed.

👇 Key User Actions on X

Action Description
Like Show appreciation for a Xeet
Reply Comment and join the conversation
Repost Share a Xeet with your followers (formerly Retweet)
Bookmark Save Xeets privately for later reference
Share Distribute Xeets via DM or external platforms

🗣️ Community Tip from @morganxcreator:
“Want to boost engagement? Always reply to comments in the first 30 minutes after posting. It triggers the algorithm in your favor.”

This interactive ecosystem makes X ideal for creators and thought leaders aiming to foster communities.

Getting Started with X: A Beginner’s Walkthrough

New to X? No worries. The platform makes onboarding relatively simple, even for social media novices.

🔧 Step-by-Step Setup:

  1. Sign Up: Create an account using your email or phone number.

  2. Build Your Profile: Add a bio, profile picture, and banner.

  3. Pick Interests: Choose from categories like sports, tech, politics, or art.

  4. Follow Accounts: Start by following friends, celebrities, or niche thought leaders.

  5. Create Your First Xeet: Try a short intro or share a favorite quote.

📢 “The algorithm picked up my very first Xeet because I used trending hashtags. Got 400+ views overnight!” — @joegrows, small business owner.

For brands, converting your profile to a Professional Account opens access to X Ads, analytics, and engagement insights.

Key Features of X in 2025

The rebranding of Twitter to X has come with a robust set of new capabilities that go well beyond microblogging. Whether you're a casual user or a business, X now offers tools to create, share, monetize, and build community in ways Twitter never did.

🧰 Top X Features in 2025

Feature Description
Long-Form Xeets Publish posts up to 25,000 characters (Premium only)
2-Hour Video Uploads Share in-depth video content with monetization options
Creator Subscriptions Let followers pay for exclusive Xeets, videos, and live content
Audio Spaces Host or join real-time audio chats (competes with Clubhouse & Twitter Spaces)
Community Notes Fact-checking and context-driven crowd moderation

🗣️ Community Note Contributor – @factclarify:
“Being part of Community Notes gives me purpose. It helps ensure that viral content is accurate. I’ve had 18 notes published so far!”

📊 Data-Driven Insights:

A recent study by Social Media Today (2025) noted that X’s creator monetization program led to a 17% increase in long-form content and a 24% uptick in video engagement within six months of launch.

Will My Twitter Followers & Content Stay on X?

One of the most frequently asked questions from long-time users is whether their legacy content and connections remain after the rebrand. The good news: everything has transitioned seamlessly.

✅ What’s Preserved from Twitter:

  • All followers and following lists

  • Old tweets (now Xeets)

  • Direct messages

  • Media (photos, GIFs, videos)

  • Verified status and Twitter Blue subscriptions

💬 User Testimonial – @techdad_1983:
“I was worried about losing my decade-old tweets, but everything was still there — even my drafts and bookmarks. It really is just a new name.”

There’s no need to re-download the app or re-sign up. Existing users simply log in as usual. If anything, X has added more customization tools and dashboard enhancements to improve legacy experiences.

What is the Maximum Length of a Xeet?

X breaks the limits of traditional Twitter posts. Users now have flexibility depending on their subscription tier.

📏 Post Length Breakdown

Account Type Max Characters Media Attachments
Free User 280 Up to 4 images, 1 video (2 mins)
Premium User 25,000 Up to 1 video (2 hours, HD), polls, images, links
Verified Org 25,000+ Enhanced media visibility

This change is game-changing for writers, educators, and creators who previously had to thread tweets to share in-depth stories.

✍️ Content Creator @notedwriter:
“I used to do 20-tweet threads to explain tech trends. Now, I just Xeet once and add visuals — it’s a cleaner experience.”

Metrics That Matter on X

To succeed on X, understanding your analytics dashboard is key. Whether you're trying to grow a personal following or assess your brand’s social ROI, knowing which metrics to track can help improve your performance.

📈 Important Metrics:

Metric What It Tells You
Impressions Number of times your Xeet appears on users’ feeds
Engagements Total interactions (likes, replies, reposts, shares, bookmarks)
Engagement Rate Engagements ÷ Impressions × 100
Follower Growth Weekly/monthly net increase in followers
Click-through Rate How many clicked your profile, links, or media after viewing a Xeet

🧪 Pro Tip from Growth Marketer @socialhacks:
“An engagement rate over 1% is solid. Boost that by replying to comments quickly and using native video.”

Advanced analytics tools like X Pro Dashboard, formerly Twitter Analytics, allow detailed tracking, audience insights, and even benchmarking against competitors.

Tips for Growing Your Brand on X

Growing a brand on X isn’t just about posting more — it’s about posting smarter. Consistency, strategy, and interaction are what drive growth in this new ecosystem.

📌 Actionable Growth Tips:

  1. Post at Optimal Times: Based on X’s internal data, engagement peaks at 9 AM and 6 PM local time.

  2. Use Hashtags Wisely: Incorporate 2-3 relevant hashtags per Xeet.

  3. Create Polls and Threads: Encourage interaction and deeper content flow.

  4. Respond to DMs and Replies: Builds trust and boosts visibility in the algorithm.

  5. Leverage Video and Audio: These formats perform 38% better than text-only Xeets.

📣 Brand Story – @coffeecultureco:
“We went from 300 to 5,000 followers in two months just by sharing customer stories and brewing tips in 30-second videos. X’s algorithm loved it.”

🧠 Expert Insight:

According to Hootsuite’s 2025 Social Media Trends Report, brands that engage with users within the first 10 minutes of a Xeet see 21% higher conversion rates on campaign-related posts.

Best Practices for Scheduling Xeets

Consistency is key to staying relevant on X. Whether you're a solo creator or managing a corporate profile, planning and scheduling content in advance ensures you never miss peak engagement windows or trending conversations.

⏰ Best Times to Post:

According to CoSchedule’s 2025 Social Timing Report, optimal engagement on X happens:

Day Peak Time (Local)
Monday 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Wednesday 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Friday 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM

🧰 Top Tools for Scheduling Xeets:

Tool Unique Strength
Buffer Clean UI, perfect for solopreneurs
Hootsuite Best for large teams with approval workflows
SocialBee Smart automation and AI-driven content curation
TweetDeck (XDeck) Native integration, real-time stream monitoring
Later Great for visual planning, especially for brands and creators

💬 Social Strategist @contentwitch:
“Scheduling my Xeets ahead with Buffer saves me 5–6 hours a week. Plus, I can A/B test headlines and visuals for optimal reach.”

Don’t forget to review your post performance weekly to identify what’s working — and double down on it.

Managing a personal account is easy, but juggling multiple clients, campaigns, or brand profiles demands more sophisticated tools. Here’s a breakdown of the top platforms tailored for X (Twitter) in 2025.

📊 Tool Comparison: X Management Platforms

Tool Key Feature Best For
Sprout Social Deep analytics + CRM integration Agencies & Enterprises
AgoraPulse Unified inbox for multi-platform use Customer service teams
Loomly Team collaboration & content calendar Marketing teams
Metricool Multi-format post tracking Influencers & Content Creators
Publer Bulk post scheduling with visual queue Solopreneurs & Startups

🧑💼 Marketing Director @brandfluxagency shares:
“We schedule over 80 Xeets a week for 10 clients. Sprout Social’s reporting dashboard helps us spot virality signals fast.”

Choosing the right tool depends on your scale, budget, and team size. But all of them offer analytics, auto-posting, and preview features—essential for brand storytelling and consistency.

Top X Competitors in the Social Media Landscape

X dominates the real-time conversation space, but it’s not without competition. Several platforms have emerged or gained traction post-2023, each catering to different user needs.

🌐 X vs. Its Competitors

Platform Key Differentiator Target Audience
Threads (Meta) Instagram-based follow graph Gen Z & Instagram users
Bluesky Decentralized, open protocol Tech-savvy and privacy-minded
Mastodon Community-run servers Niche and academic groups
Substack Notes Writer-first, text-heavy Writers & long-form creators
LinkedIn Professional network with thought leadership Corporate and career-focused

👥 A recent poll on @socialtoolsdaily (April 2025) showed:
“X remains the primary platform for 62% of creators, followed by Threads (19%) and Substack Notes (8%).”

While X focuses on scale and integration, others win on privacy, niche curation, or creator control.

Pros and Cons of Using X in 2025

Like any platform, X has its strengths and shortcomings. Whether it’s the right fit for you depends on your goals—be it personal branding, marketing, or content monetization.

✅ Pros

  • Versatile content formats (text, video, audio, polls)

  • Real-time engagement and trend participation

  • Monetization opportunities for creators

  • Advanced analytics and scheduling tools

  • Cross-platform visibility and link previews

❌ Cons

  • Algorithm volatility: Unpredictable reach drops for some users

  • Paywall for premium features: Full benefits behind subscription

  • Brand confusion: Some users still identify it as Twitter

  • Moderation concerns: Mixed user feedback on content oversight

🧠 Thought Leader @techtribe:
“X is like a Swiss Army knife of platforms. But it needs sharper policies and better onboarding for new users to thrive long-term.”

Is X Safe and Private to Use?

Privacy and safety have been hot topics since the transition to X. Fortunately, the platform has significantly improved its controls and transparency.

🔒 Key Privacy Features:

  • End-to-End Encrypted DMs (Premium)

  • Two-Factor Authentication

  • Custom Visibility Settings: Control who sees or replies to your Xeets

  • Community Notes: Collective fact-checking to curb misinformation

  • Block & Mute Controls: Manage your feed and mental space

🔍 Industry Perspective:

A 2024 report by Digital Rights Watch stated that X ranks 4th out of 10 in overall privacy transparency among global social platforms.

👤 User @safehands2024 says:
“I feel more in control now than I did on Twitter. The new privacy dashboard is intuitive and actually useful.”

Despite some concerns around AI-driven content curation, X is actively working to address user trust and data transparency.

Frequently Asked Questions About X

1. What is X, and how is it different from Twitter?
X is the rebranded version of Twitter, launched by Elon Musk to evolve the platform into a multi-functional app. While core features like short posts and threads remain, X adds video, audio, long-form content, monetization, and future fintech capabilities.

2. Can I still use my Twitter account on X?
Yes. Your username, followers, posts (now called Xeets), and messages remain intact. You don’t need to sign up again or download a new app.

3. What’s a “Xeet”?
A Xeet is the new term for what was previously a tweet. It can include text, images, video, polls, or links—offering more creative freedom than before.

4. How long can a Xeet be?
Free users can post up to 280 characters. Premium users can post up to 25,000 characters, include rich media, and schedule content in advance.

5. Is X free to use?
Yes. Basic features remain free. However, Premium subscriptions unlock extended posts, video uploads, encrypted DMs, and monetization options.

6. What are some of X’s newest features?
Notable updates include:

  • Long-form Xeets

  • Video uploads up to 2 hours

  • Creator monetization tools

  • Community Notes for crowd-sourced context

  • Future integration of peer-to-peer payments

📌 Pro Tip: For the latest features, follow @XUpdates or check the “What’s New” section inside your app’s settings.

Conclusion: Should You Join X in 2025?

If you're looking for a smarter, more powerful social media platform, X offers an expansive toolkit for creators, professionals, and casual users alike. With real-time communication, rich content support, and growing opportunities for audience monetization, it stands out as more than just a social network—it’s becoming a digital ecosystem.

While some challenges remain—like the learning curve of new features or the dependence on premium tiers—the opportunities for growth, expression, and business are stronger than ever.

🎯 Final Thought:
Whether you're a brand trying to scale, a creator building a following, or a user seeking deeper conversations—X gives you the tools to connect, grow, and monetize in a way no other platform currently does.


For a visual walkthrough on it, check out the following tutorial:

source: https://www.youtube.com/@Michael-Girdley